Residents of Ibuzor and Okpanam communities in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have sent a distress call to President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged mass land grabbing, police intimidation and threats to lives.
The communities, under the leadership of Comrade Ifeanyi Victor Asiodu, said the situation had become unbearable, alleging that armed thugs acting on the orders of land grabbers had invaded their ancestral lands.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Asiodu claimed that the activities of the land grabbers had led to the killing of innocent residents, thereby throwing the communities into fear and tension.
He alleged that several complaints lodged with the police were ignored, raising suspicions of connivance and conspiracy by some security personnel.
“Our lives are presently in danger. Thugs, allegedly working for some land grabbers with links to Fred Ajudua, have gone as far as killing innocent people in our communities,” Asiodu said.
He added that the failure of the police to act on reported cases had emboldened the alleged perpetrators, warning that the development was capable of triggering a major crisis in the area.
“As peace-loving people, we decided to hold this press conference to appeal directly to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and rescue our communities from this looming danger,” he said.
The community leader also called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate officers allegedly associated with the land grabbers and ensure that those found culpable were sanctioned.
“We are appealing to the IGP to look inward and bring to book any of his men found to be collaborating with these land grabbers,” Asiodu added.
Those present at the briefing included Pastor Jonathan Nduchukwuka from Okpanam, Comrade George Obi Nkenchor from Umuodafeisiuzo, and Barrister Chuma Egonu, counsel to Asiodu, who all echoed the call for urgent federal intervention.
